India, UK, and France Can Be the New Climate Leaders

The return of an isolationist and transactional approach to international relations, along with policy shifts under the new US administration, will not only disrupt economies but also erode trust, making it exponentially harder to forge collective agreements.

- Zerin Osho

In such a scenario, climate action risks being sidelined at precisely the moment when it should be a top priority. Reviving multilateralism is critical. Adding to this urgency is the stark reality that more than half of global greenhouse gas emissions were linked to just 36 fossil fuel and cement producers—most of which are state-owned enterprises. This concentration of emissions within a few state-owned entities underscores the urgent need for government-driven solutions, regulatory leadership, and decisive international cooperation.

In this era of fractured alliances and weakening multilateral institutions, India, France, and the UK have a unique opportunity to step up and provide the climate leadership the world so desperately needs. They share a common stake in a stable and sustainable future.

No doubt, the challenges facing the three countries are significant. India, as a rapidly developing nation, must balance economic growth with climate action. The UK is navigating economic uncertainties, while France grapples with domestic political volatility. However, these challenges underscore the need for collaboration rather than isolation. Climate cooperation can be a catalyst for economic growth, innovation, and stability.